If you read the first issue of American Vampire 1976 and came out of it a little lost and confused, American Vampire 1976 #2 is what you’re looking for. The first issue played off of previous knowledge of the series in its set-up. This second issue explains what you need to know to enjoy the series. The stakes, the characters, it’s all laid out here for new readers and a reminder for long-time fans.

For those who don’t know, this latest volume takes place in 1976. Evil vampires are looking to wake up an ancient evil. To stop them, Skinner Sweet is recruited to steal a train which holds clues to stop it all.

Writer Scott Snyder does a fantastic job with this issue. American Vampire 1976 #2 acts as an easy way to catch up on everything you might not know and missed. It also really moves the story along in a quick pace. We’re much further in the story than I expected at this point. Things have flown with a fun aspect about it all.

In between Snyder cementing who these characters are, we also get some solid action, great humor, and horror. American Vampire 1976 #2 feels almost like the real start of the series to the previous issue’s tease and setup. It’s been years since I’ve read a comic from the series and it was beyond helpful to get this issue. It’s the perfect reminder as to what I didn’t remember. For new readers, it’ll be vital as the first issue. It packs a lot in but left out the “why” new readers should care.

Rafael Albuquerque’s art continues to be fantastic. Joined by Dave McCaig on color, the visuals of the comic bounce between horror and action. There are some fantastic sequences that drive things along and it’s all delivered with 70s cool. Albuquerque’s Gerald Ford is a little lacking but that’s a minor issue for a comic that otherwise looks great. What truly stands out is the team’s ability to balance its various genres. The comic is part heist and part horror and the two are balanced visually. If the horror aspects went a bit “scarier” or “gory” they would feel off or even more extreme to the issue’s focus on a heist.

The big sequence is a train robbery that relies more on the action and grand visuals and sequences made for the big screen. That sequence too eventually goes into horror territory with the need to that sequence to balance out with others in the comic. If other parts of the comic were a bit scarier or gorier, it’d lessen the pop for what happens later in the comic. It’s a solid balance done where one genre aspect never overpowers the other and the two deliver an entertaining balance.

American Vampire 1976 #2 is a fantastic second issue. It takes a step back to make sure all readers are caught up and on the same page while hurtling the story forward balancing its various aspects. While it’s the second issue, it feels like the true start to things and is as good a starting point as the first issue. If you were a bit confused by the debut or feel like you were missing something give this second issue a shot and get caught right up.

Story: Scott Snyder Art: Rafael Albuquerque Color: Dave McCaig
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics

It feels like forever since I read an issue of American Vampire. While I remember the series starting off slow, it quickly became one of my favorite reads. The series showed off the talent of writer Scott Snyder and the artistic talent of Rafael Albuquerque and Dave McCaig. It’s been years… and honestly, I don’t remember a lot of it. That’s both good and bad for American Vampire 1976 #1. The good is, you generally don’t need to know what happened. The bad is, you’ll want to find out.

Snyder returns to his take on the world of vampires as the series flashes forward to 1976. It’s the bi-centennial for the United States. Though it’s 44 years ago, there are some things that are the same as today. It’s 1976, the President is a criminal, the economy is in the shitter, China is gaining, and “Russia is handing us our balls.” Add in people joining cults, kids going missing and people “kissing the devil’s ring instead of the lord’s feet,” and you could be talking about today.

It’s interesting that Snyder chose 1976 for the series to take place. While the above about how similar of a time it is today does stand out, the reality is, it’s kind of the hook as to where the comic is initially going. The comic to start is the setup of a heist.

American Vampire 1976 #1 lays out the series in a way one might expect for an Ocean’s 11 film. The key players are introduced and their personalities laid out on the table. The problem is discussed and the solution is a heist as to the answer. Much of the comic is standard in that way but it’s done with such and style and attitude, it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

But, what Snyder does that’s impressive is create a first issue that’s solid for new and old readers alike. If you remember everything that has happened, you’ll love jumping back in the world. For those that are new, there’s more than enough teased in explanations to understand what’s going on. You might not know specific characters and their connections but you get a sense what they think of each other and how they interact.

The cool of the comic is brought together through the art of Rafael Albuquerque and the colors of Dave McCaig. The comic art brings the 70s to life in its settings, clothes, and details. I can’t say how accurate the looks are, but it put me in the setting, and in the end, that’s what matters for me as a reader. The characters look like they haven’t aged a day since last I read the series, nor should they but to see their new style based on the era brings some fun with it.

What I really like about American Vampire 1976 #1 and the series as a whole is how it delivers action and the vampire aspect without going over the top. The issue has some gory fight scenes but never takes you out of the story. A head might be on the floor but it feels natural and maybe even downplays the gore a bit.

American Vampire 1976 #1 is a bit of the typical gathering of the key players story but it does it all in such an entertaining way both story-wise and look. It’s a fun reintroduction to the world of Skinner Sweet, the American Vampire, and has me wanting to go back and read what has come before. It impressively pulls off a debut that’s accessible for new readers and should excite longtime fans. Despite being years since the last chapter, American Vampire doesn’t miss a beat with its return.

Story: Scott Snyder Art: Rafael Albuquerque Color: Dave McCaig
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics